Gauri's heart felt like it was being ripped apart as her body shook from shock. The bad memories invaded every corner of her mind, reminding her of her darkest time.

"Ragini..." Gauri murmured.

A woman she thought was her friend at the time. A woman who came out of nowhere and invaded her life and took everything from her. Thinking back she realize how foolish she was. Why would a rich 18 year old girl suddenly appear in Bareilly? At that time she was preparing for the college entrance exam when Ragini befriended her. To have someone from the city offer a helping hand in her studies Gauri was ecstatic. How could she have ever known that she was creating opportunities for Ragini to be close with her father? Even her mother was fooled and welcomed her into the home. As time went by they saw each other as sisters until Ragini's mask fell. Her mother received such a huge blow the moment her father decided to leave with someone she regarded as a friend. Although Ragini was young she always had a way to make her mother laugh and chat as if they were sisters. Who would have thought that this was just one of Ragini's skills.

Their family was just an ordinary family. Her father worked at a small company while her mother stayed home. It was the best life Gauri had until a letter changed everything. It was true that greed can really destroy a family and she had experienced it first hand. She has always known that her father grew up in an orphanage but the things that came later was too unbelievable. She has never heard of the Malahotras that lived in Mumbai let alone know that they were trying to find the illegitimate son they tried to forget many years ago. If it wasn't for the only heir to die of illness maybe her father would have never been seduced by Ragini. She really had to hand it to Ragini, whom planned everything so perfectly. She found an investigator to locate her father before the Malhotras did. Once she found him she slowly penetrated the family. Gave him a taste of what his future could be and she would be right by his side. Her father was clouded with lust and greed and fell into Ragini's honey trap. She climbed his bed and forced her father to take responsibility and if he didn't she would defame him before he had a chance to return to Mumbai and claim to be the heir of the Malhotras. By that time her father was already in love with Ragini and was ready to leave everything in Bareilly behind. However, that was still not enough . In order to make sure that they couldn't retaliate she had her father take all of their savings as they left. This will ensure that Gauri and her mother had no money to come to Mumbai and make trouble.

Now that very woman was standing at the spa counter waiting for the secretary to usher her inside one of the VIP rooms.

Bhavya has never seen Ragini before so she didn't know why Gauri kept staring at the woman.

"Gauri what's wrong? You are shaking?"

She felt like it was getting harder to breathe and so Gauri hurriedly rushed out of the door. The moment she breathed in the fresh air her heart calmed down.

"It's the past. Let it go. It's the past. Let it go." Gauri repeated until Bhavya grabbed her arm.

"Gauri! What's wrong?! She are sweating! Do you know that woman?"

Gauri slowly closed her eyes to try and force those unpleasant memories away.

"It's her Bhavya. That was Ragini."

"What?! That was her?!"

Bhavya's brows furrowed as she leaped back towards the Spa but was quickly held back by Gauri.

"Let me go Gauri! That vile serpent! I will avenge for you! Let me go!"

The grip on Bhavya's arm tightened forcing her to face Gauri's now calm but sad eyes.

"What is the point in all this? It will just make me feel humilated Bhavya."

"How can you say that?! If it wasn't for her none of that would have happened! Why would you feel humilated?!"

"The humiliation stems from my father being seduced. Do you understand Bhavya? The only man I loved and trusted chose to follow her. He is not blind or clueless. He knew exactly what he was doing and he chose her. Even if you came to her and ridiculed her it would only cause me more pain. Ragini is not ashamed of her actions at all. She is even proud to be Mrs. Malhotra. Do you think she will just stand there and let you yell at her? She will only point out that it was my father who chose her over my mother and me; and I will be unable to refute it."

"Gauri..."

Gauri knew her friend wanted to vent for her but she knew it would have been useless.

"Let's go eat. I am hungry."

"Gauri..."

"Come on. I don't want to stand here any longer."

******************************************

Ragini was trying to relax as the masseuse was massaging her until her phone kept ringing.

"Damnit! who could be bothering me?!"

She gestured the masseuse to hand her the phone and saw the name "Bastard" appear on her phone.

"Hello?" Ragini answered with an annoyed tone.

"It's been a long time Ragini. How is Shakti doing?"

She hated Abhimanyu. She was annoyed that his secretary kept trying to leave her messages urging her to see that bastard.

"What do you want Mr. Rehaja?"

Abhimanyu was sitting in his study grinning as he stared at Gauri's photo that he had Riddhima send to his email.

"Just checking if Shakti was getting any better."

"You know he is still laying there! What more do you want?! We already paid for your medical expenses as well as compensate for your long term injury!"

"Hey, I didn't ask you guys to ram into my car. It was just unfortunate that Shakti is now a vegetative who is in a coma."

"What do you want?!" Ragini roared.

Abhimanyu's smile grew even bigger. "I know that you have not been doing well. After Shakti suffered from the car accident his distant cousin is not in charge of everything. It's just a pity that he doesn't know anything and the Malhotra's is about to crumble under his hands."

Ever since Shakti became a vegetative it was pointless to be Mrs. Malhotra who could only get a montly allowance for the dividends of the company. But now the company is not doing well which means her allowance has been declining.

"So did you call me to just point out these things?! If so there is no need."

"What if there was a way for you to save the Malhotra empire and become the sole ownership?"

Ragini's eyes widen. If she could become the owner of the entire Malhotra empire then she can squander what is left and flee. She will be set for life!

"You say."

Abhimanyu knew that Ragini would not give up this offer.

"How much do you think Shakti's daughter love him?"

"What?"

"Gauri Sharma is here in Mumbai"

Hearing Gauri's name made Ragini feel very uncomfortable.

"Why do you ask this?"

"Just answer the question."

"She has always loved her father very much."

Abhimanyu eyes darkened as he heard the words he was waiting for.

"Are you still listed as the one to control Shakti's fate?"

Ragini's brows furrowed "Yes."

"Good. I need you to reach out to her and let her know that her father's life is now in your hands."

"Why?" Ragini asked.

"Because I want her to be Mrs. Raheja."

**Hope you like this update. Do vote and comment.**